my adopted family

In my study abroad program, all students are given the option to meet with an Italian family on a weekly basis to talk and share dinner. Before I even arrived in Bologna I knew that I wanted to take advantage of this great opportunity! Well... last night I met with my Italian family! I arrived at their apartment around 5:30. The first person I met was Francesca, the 14 year-old daughter, soon followed by her mother Gianna. When I first arrived we introduced ourselves and sat down in the loving room/dining room to ask the basic questions: Where are you from? How old are you? What do you like to do? What are you studying? etc. After gaining some confidence in my shaky communication skills, Gianna left to run some errands while Francesca and I talked. When Gianna returned, we decided to meet every Thursday. Each week when I arrive I will first speak with Francesca one-on-one to help her with English and later in the evening we will all speak only in Italian while sharing dinner. It's a nice, fair exchange of languages. (Who would have ever considered language to be such a great commodity!)

My "family" lives in an apartment located near the Teatro Comunale di Bologna....

Through the course of the evening I learned that Francesca sings at the Teatro and recently participated in the production of La Boheme! Interestingly enough, I recently visited the home of composer Giacomo Puccini (who wrote the likes of La Boheme and Madama Butterfly) in the small town of Lucca in Tuscany. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved opera! Needless to say, I was extremely excited to visit his home...

After talking with Francesca for an hour or so, it was finally time for dinner! Ordinarily Gianna will prepare a home-cooked meal for all of us but last night she was very busy and did not have time to cook. Instead Francesca, Anna (Gianna's sister) and I walked to a nearby Greek restaurant and picked up some food. Last night was certainly a multicultural affair! Eventually after dinner and several hours of conversation, I left to go home around 9:30 with a full stomach and bright smile! I had a wonderful evening and I love my newly adopted Italian family!